Flexible truck bed tie-down system

ABSTRACT

A flexible cargo bed tie-down system that allows the user to easily change, adjust, customize, and adapt his or her vehicle to specific needs at any given moment, and that interfaces with the rest of the truck in an optimum manner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint. Tie-down track(s) are provided that are integral with the body of the truck such that the exterior contour of the track(s) do not extend appreciably beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of the body. This permits the track(s) to blend in with the body of the truck, which improves functionality because the track(s) do not obstruct the placement of items on the truck. This also permits the portions of the body of the truck that support the tracks(s) to be specifically designed to take large loads, which thus allows the track(s) to support, separate and/or secure large loads.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The Applicants hereby claim the benefit of the U.S. provisionalapplication 60/242,724 entitled “Flexible Truck Bed Tie Down System andGate Extender,” filed Oct. 25, 2000. The entire contents of thisprovisional application are incorporated herein by reference. Thepresent invention relates generally to the field of trucks. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a flexible tie-downsystem for trucks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The explosion in the popularity of pick-up trucks and/or sport utilitytrucks (SUTs) has fueled a proliferation of new body configurations.Trucks are offered as standard cabs, king cabs, crew cabs, SPORT TRACS,and the like. Likewise, truck interiors have been adapted to meet theneeds for more comfort, more passenger capacity, and the like. One areaof the pick-up truck that has yet to undergo a similar evolution is thecargo bed itself.

It is ironic that the most utilitarian element of what is essentially autilitarian vehicle is, in practical terms, not especially useful. Ascurrently conceived, the standard full-sized pick-up bed is little morethan a large empty volume with a few tie-down points scattered along theperimeter of its interior walls or along a bed rail. There is anenormous opportunity to improve the utility and ease of use of a truckbed.

Some trucks are used primarily for work and others primarily forrecreation. Many trucks do double-duty supporting both of these spheresof activity. One of the most glaring deficiencies of current bed designis that they are not readily adaptable to the wide variety ofapplications required by the end user. A truck bed should be able tosupport and accommodate the very different requirements that areassociated with a diverse range of activities.

Generally speaking, bed usage may be grouped into three broadcategories: hauling, securing, and separating items in the payload. Mosttruck users need to perform each of these tasks with some frequency. Yetthe demands placed on the bed for hauling are significantly differentfrom those needed to secure or separate items in and around the bed.

When hauling yard waste, plywood, recreational gear, and other items,the ideal condition is to maximize the interior volume of the bed and tomaintain an easily accessible loading surface. When securing individualobjects in the bed, such as dirt bikes, ATVs, air tanks, furniture, andother items, the ideal condition is to have multiple sturdy tie-downpoints in close proximity to the object being secured. When hauling andsecuring combinations of items—heavy objects and fragile equipment, forexample—it becomes necessary to separate these items from one another.

This situation has led to a brisk business in after-market systemscreated by after-market manufacturers. However, while many of thesesystems are at least partially effective, they are not necessarilydesigned to interface with the truck in an optimum manner from afunctional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a truly flexible cargo bedtie-down system that allows the user to easily change, adjust,customize, and adapt his or her vehicle to specific needs at any givenmoment, and that interfaces with the rest of the truck in an optimummanner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint.

An important feature of the invention is that, in the invention,tie-down track(s) are provided that are integral with the body of thetruck such that the exterior contour of the track(s) do not extendappreciably beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of the body.This permits the track(s) to blend in with the body of the truck, whichimproves functionality because the track(s) do not obstruct theplacement of items on the truck. This also permits the portions of thebody of the truck that support the tracks(s) to be specifically designedto take large loads, which thus allows the track(s) to support, separateand/or secure large loads. This is in contrast to currently availableafter-market products which sit on top of the body of the truck. Suchafter-market products and existing trucks are not necessarily designedto interface in an optimum manner, from a functional, structural andaesthetic standpoint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in further detail below in conjunctionwith the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end view of a truck embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of plane 2—2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of plane 3—3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of plain 4—4 of FIG. 1 (with a tie-downfitting installed).

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a tie-down fitting.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a tie-down fitting.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a tire cradle.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a tank fitting.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a cargo net arrangement.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a cargo divider.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a foldable storage box in a storedposition.

FIG. 12 illustrates the foldable storage box being placed in the storageposition.

FIG. 13 illustrates the foldable storage box in the storage position.

FIGS. 14 through 17 illustrate an example of a tailgate extender, havinga track, in four different positions.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of an arrangement of crossbar members.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a pulley arrangement supported by thecrossbar members.

FIG. 20 illustrates one possible configuration of a track and fittingson a crossbar member.

FIG. 21 illustrates a sectional view of plane 21—21 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a storage box for storing tie-downfittings and/or other items.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the storage box of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is an example of another arrangement of tracks, according to theinvention.

FIG. 25 is an example of another arrangement of a track, according tothe invention.

FIG. 26 is an example of another arrangement of tracks, according to theinvention.

FIGS. 27 through 31 illustrate a type of fitting that may be usedaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 32 through 34 illustrate another type of fitting that may be usedaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of a truck 100 configured in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the truck 100 has a cargo bed, or area, 110 behind acab (or passenger compartment) 120. There are two sidewalls 122, 124 onthe sides of bed 110 and front wall 125. In this particularconfiguration, the truck 100 also includes a tailgate 130. Tracks 141and 142 are located in bed 110. The left sidewall 122 has a track 143which opens inward and another track 144 which opens upward. Similarly,sidewall 124 has an inward facing track 145 and an upward facing track146. A rearward facing track 147 is located on front wall 125 behind cab120, and the free end of tailgate 130 includes a track 148.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of plane 2—2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustratestrack 141 recessed in bed 110. The track 141 is in the shape of achannel and has two inward turning lips 141A and 141B. The track 141 isprovided with a slot opening S. The design of track 142 (with respect tobed 110) is similar to the design of track 141.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of plane 3—3 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3,track 148 is located on the free end of tailgate 130. Track 148 hasinward turning lips 148A and 148B and a slot opening S.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of plane 4—4 of FIG. 1, with a tie-downfitting installed. As illustrated, track 145 faces inward and track 146faces upward. The design of tracks 145 and 146 is similar to the designof tracks 141 and 148, as discussed above. Similarly, tracks 143 and 144are similar to tracks 145 and 146.

An important feature of the invention is that the tracks are outside ofthe passenger compartment (in the FIG. 1 embodiment the tracks arebehind the passenger compartment). This allows the storage of larger,heavier loads. Another important feature of the invention is that thetracks 141 to 148 are integral with the body of truck 100 such that theexterior contours of the tracks do not extend appreciably beyond thecontour of adjacent portions of the body (e.g., not more than ⅛, ¼, ½,or ¾ inch beyond the contour of adjacent portions of the body).

For example, the exterior contour of track 141 is flush with cargo bed110. In FIG. 3, the upper horizontal surface of track 148 is flush withthe uppermost portion 32 of tailgate 130 and the surface 148C of track148 is flush with the surface 134 of tailgate 130. Similarly, as shownin FIG. 4, the exterior contours of tracks 145 and 146 do not extendappreciably beyond the contour of adjacent portions of the body.

This design permits the tracks to blend in with the body of the truck,which improves functionality because the tracks do not obstructplacement of items into or on the truck. Also, in the invention, theportions of the body of the truck that support the tracks arespecifically designed to accommodate the tracks and to take large loads,which thus allows the tracks to support or secure large loads. Asdiscussed above, this is in contrast to currently available after-marketproducts which sit on top of the body of the truck. Such after-marketproducts and existing trucks may not necessarily be designed toaccommodate each other in an optimum manner, from a structuralviewpoint.

The contour of the adjacent portions of the body of the truck can beformed by, for example, structural steel, aluminum and other materialthat forms part of the structural part of the body, sheet metal, sheetaluminum or other material, and/or plastic (either separate or with atrack encapsulated). The track slots can be pointed in any direction,for example, upward, downward, outboard, inboard, rearward, forward, orat an angle. Also, when the tracks are not in use, the tracks can becovered with a protective strip of, for example, rubber or plastic,which fits into the slot opening.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the geometry of thetracks is similar to the geometry of channels manufactured forindustrial framing applications (for example for supporting pipes andelectrical lines). This allows a user to employ a wide variety ofcommercially available fittings to customize and adapt the tie-downarrangement to the particular task at hand.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example of a tie-down fitting 210. Fitting210 may be used with rope, straps, and the like to secure items inand/or to the bed. This fitting 210 has three separate parts, a nut 212available from (for example) the manufacturers listed below, a malethreaded commercially available eye 214, and a washer 216. The nut hastwo grooves 212A and 212B that are intended to mate with the in-turnedlips of the track (such as lips 145A and 145B of track 145). In thisembodiment, washer 216 has a metal portion 216A and an elastic portion216B. This fitting can be moved anywhere along a track and then fixed ina desired location. The fitting can also be released from the track, forexample, by twisting or unscrewing the fitting and then removing thefitting in a direction approximately perpendicular to the track.Providing fittings that can be inserted anywhere along the track andthat are movable within the track allows the user to customize and adaptthe truck to the task at hand by providing the appropriate number andspacing of fittings required for the task at hand. Also, because thefittings are releasable, they can be removed when not needed, so thatthey do not become an obstruction.

To use the assembly, the nut 212 is placed into the channel (or track),the washer 216 is placed on a threaded part of the eye 214, and then thenut 212 is turned 90 degrees such that the grooves 212A, 212B in the nutmate with the in-turned lips 145A and 145B of the channel. Then, the eyeis screwed into the nut until tight. This squeezes the track between thenut and the washer/eye assembly. The pressure locks the entire assemblyto the track. The fitting is removed by loosening the nut/eye assembly,and turning the nut 90 degrees.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a tie-down fitting 310. Thisfitting 310 can be used for securing a wide variety of items to a track.As shown in FIG. 6, fitting 310 includes a commercially available nut312, a knob portion 314, a plastic or steel washer 315, and a washer316. A contact portion 314A of knob 314 is designed to hold an objectbetween contact portion 314A (and washer 315) and a track. The washer316 is bonded to the nut 312 and rests on top of the track to keep thenut from falling into the track. An example of use of such a fittingwill be described in further detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 10,20 and 21.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a specialized fitting 400 having a tirecradle 410 for use with the track system described above. This fitting400 can be positioned and then secured, for example, to track 147 onfront wall 125 behind the cab using fittings 420 and 430. Fittings 420and 430 are similar to fitting 210, described above. Two straps 411 and413 are used to secure a tire within the cradle 410. This tire cradlecan be used with the other fittings described in this patentspecification to provide numerous tie-down points to stabilize, forexample, a mountain bike or motorcycle, within the cargo bed.

It will be appreciated that the fittings described in this patentspecification can be used in conjunction with, for example, ropes,straps, rubber tie-downs, and the like, to secure objects to tie-downpoints throughout the cargo bed.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a tank fitting 510 for use, forexample, with the side tracks described above. Fitting 510 includes twocommercially available bands 512 and 514 which are approximately in theshape of a quarter circle. The bands are joined at one end by atightening assembly, such as a threaded knob 516. The other ends of thebands are shaped to lie within one of the tracks (for example, track145, as shown in FIG. 8). Such fittings allow adjustable and secureplacement of, for example, scuba tanks, and the like, near the bedperimeter.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a cargo net arrangement 600.Arrangement 600 includes a cargo net 610 which is secured to tracks 141,142, and 148 using fittings 622, 624, 626, and 628. Fittings 622, 624,626, and 628 are similar to fitting 210, shown in FIG. 5.

The tracks at the side of the bed and/or the tracks at the bottom of thebed, can also be used to secure a cargo divider, as shown in FIG. 10.FIG. 10 illustrates a cargo divider 710 secured to tracks 141, 142, 144,and 146 using fittings 722, 724, 726, and 728. Fittings 722, 724, 726,and 728 are similar to fitting 310, shown in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 11 to 13 depict a folding/stowable box arrangement 800 which isprovided by the invention. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the box inthe storage position. When not in use, a lid 810 of the box and a rearside 820 of the box are folded together and are stored flat against thefront wall 125 of the cargo bed to maximize bed space, as shown in FIG.11 (in FIG. 11, the lid 810 is hidden behind the side 820). When theuser desires to place the box in the storage position, both the lid 810and the rear side 820 are moved rearward using fittings 822 and 826 toguide the side 820 and maintain the side 820 approximately perpendicularto the cargo bed. Then, knobs 824 and 828 are tightened to securefittings 822 and 826 to tracks 145 and 143. Then, lid 810, which isstored in slots 821 of side 820 (lid 810 is not shown in FIG. 12 inorder to show slot 821 clearly), is pivoted, for example by a hinge, tocover the interior of the box, as shown in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 14 through 17 illustrate an example of a tailgate extender 900,having a crossbar member 948, in four different positions. As shown inthese figures, the tailgate 130 is positionable such that the primaryplane of the tailgate 130 is either vertical (FIG. 14) or horizontal(FIGS. 15 to 17). Crossbar member 948 runs in a direction perpendicularto the longitudinal direction of the truck. A first member 952 and asecond member 954 are connected to the crossbar member 948. The firstmember 952, the second member 954, and the crossbar member 948 lie inthe same plane. A connection assembly (to be described below) connectsthe crossbar member 948 to the tailgate 130 via at least the first andsecond members 952 and 954 such that:

-   -   (1) the first member 952, the second member 954, and the        crossbar member 948 lie in the primary plane of the tailgate 130        to act as an upright for loads when the tailgate 130 is vertical        (as shown in FIG. 14);    -   (2) the first member 952, the second member 954, and the        crossbar member 948 lie in the primary plane of the tailgate 130        to act as an extension of the tailgate 130 for longer loads when        the tailgate 130 is horizontal (as shown in FIG. 15);    -   (3) the first member 952, the second member 954, and the        crossbar member 948 lie in a plane perpendicular to the primary        plane of the tailgate 130 to act as an upright (or rear support)        when the tailgate is horizontal (as shown in FIG. 16); or    -   (4) the first member 952, the second member 954, and the        crossbar member 948 lie in a plane perpendicular to the primary        plane of the tailgate 130 to act as a step when the tailgate 130        is horizontal (as shown in FIG. 17). (Also, the tailgate        extender can be positioned as shown in FIG. 17, except with the        tailgate closed, to provide another configuration, for example,        for storing long objects.)

The first and second members 952 and 954 can be stored within thetailgate 130 by pushing them into the tailgate (in which case thecrossbar member 948 simply acts as a track on the free end of thetailgate similar to track 148 in FIG. 1). The first and second members952 and 954 are secured to the tailgate 130 in one of the three relativepositions by: (1) sliding the first and second members 952 and 954 intoone pair of holes 962 and 964 which are parallel to the primary plane ofthe tailgate and securing the members by pins 932 and 934; or (2)sliding the first and second members 952 and 954 into one pair of holes961 and 963 which are perpendicular to the primary plane of the tailgate130 and securing the members by pins 932 and 934. Pins 932 and 934 gothrough holes in tailgate 130 and members 952 and 954.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an example of an arrangement 1000 of crossbarmembers 1100 and 1200 that can be used to support, for example, ladders,plastic pipe, a large sea kayak, and other long objects. These crossbarmembers allow the cargo bed 1010 to be free for other gear. In addition,the longitudinal spacing of the crossbar members 1100 and 1200 can beadjusted to secure tall objects (such as appliances) between thecrossbar members. (One way of securing such crossbar members to thetracks will be described below in connection with FIGS. 20 and 21.)

The crossbar members 1100 and 1200 can support, for example, a beam 1310that can be cantilevered near the rear end of the truck to support apulley system 1320. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of pulley system 1320being employed to easily load a heavy, awkwardly-sized object (wheel W)into the cargo bed 1010. In one variation, upward facing tracks 144 and146 may be eliminated and crossbar members 1100 and 1200 are secured toinward facing tracks 143 and 145.

FIG. 20 illustrates one possible configuration of a track 1410 andfittings 1420, 1430, and 1440 on a crossbar member 1400. Fittings 1420,1430, and 1440 are commercially available from various industrialframing manufacturers (listed below). As described above, one of theadvantages of the invention is that a vehicle owner may use a widevariety of readily available fittings, in conjunction with the tracksystem, to customize his or her truck and adapt the truck to the owner'sparticular requirements at hand. It will be appreciated that other typesof fittings, which include additional tracks, can be provided.

FIG. 21 illustrates a sectional view of plane 21—21 of FIG. 20. As shownin FIG. 21, crossbar member 1400 is secured to track 144 by securing ahorizontal portion 1450 of crossbar member 1400 to the track using aknob fitting 1460 and a nut 1470. A suitable design for such a fittingis illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate an example of a storage box 1500 in an outerside panel of a truck for storing fittings and/or other items. The box1500 is supported by a slide 1510.

FIG. 24 is an example of another arrangement 1600 of tracks, accordingto the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 24, arrangement 1600 includestracks 1610, 1620, 1640, and 1650 mounted to the inner sidewall of acargo bed 1680 such that the exterior contours of these tracks do notextend appreciably beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of thebody. Similarly, track 1630 is mounted to the front wall of cargo bed1680 such that the exterior contours of the track do not extendappreciably beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of the body.

FIG. 24 also illustrates tracks 1660 and 1670 which projectapproximately one inch above cargo bed 1680. Thus, tracks 1660 and 1670do extend appreciably beyond the contour of adjacent portions of thebody. FIG. 24 illustrates that tracks according to the invention (tracks1610, 1620, 1630, 1640, and 1650) may be mounted on the same vehiclewhich also has tracks (1660 and 1670) which do extend appreciably beyondthe contour of the adjacent portions of the body.

FIG. 25 is an example of another arrangement 1700 of a track 1710,according to the invention, that does not extend appreciably beyond thecontour of adjacent portions 1720 of the body.

FIG. 26 is another example of another arrangement of tracks 1800,according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 26, the arrangementincludes a number of body panels, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, and 1850. Thebody panels are joined, for example, by fasteners 1862, 1864, and 1866.Tracks 1872 and 1874 are mounted to the body panels by, for example,welds 1871, 1873, 1875, and 1877. The tracks can be connected to thebody by other means, such as bolts. As shown in FIG. 26, the tracks 1872and 1874 are mounted to the panels such that the exterior contours oftracks 1872 and 1874 do not extend appreciably beyond the adjacentportions of the body. In the most preferred embodiment, the exteriorcontours of the tracks are substantially flush with the adjacentportions of the body. However, the exterior contours of the track canextend up to one-eighth of an inch beyond the adjacent portions of thebody, one-quarter of an inch beyond the contour of the adjacent portionsof the body, or up to one-half of an inch beyond the contour of theadjacent portions of the body.

FIGS. 27 to 31 illustrate another type of fitting 1900 that may be used.If the fittings described above in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6 are nottightened enough or if the eye (or knob) is turned, the assembly canloosen and may fall out of the track. On the other hand, if the fittingis tightened too tightly, especially in the case of an aluminum track,there could be damage or premature wear of the track.

The FIG. 27-31 embodiment provides a more positive engagement with thetrack that does not rely as much on the user having the correct “feel”in tightening the thread/nut assembly. In this embodiment, the tie-downfitting does not clamp onto the track, but instead stays in place by acombination of a pin and a lock bar. As will be described below, thisembodiment of the invention requires holes in the back side of thetrack(s).

As shown in the Figures, there are four major pieces to this design. Acenter shaft 1910 is provided with an eye 1920 (or other type offitting/connection) on one end, a square shank 1930 in the middle, and apin 1940 on the other end. Eye 1920, shank 1930, and pin 1940 are formedtogether as one piece. A rectangular lock bar 1950 is provided with ahole the same diameter as the pin end 1940 of the center shaft 1910. Aspring locking ring 1960 has a square hole to match the shank 1930 ofthe center shaft and includes a recessed area which houses an internalspring 1968, notches for fingers, and a boss 1962 to engage the trackopening. A set screw 1952, or pin, secures the lock bar 1950 to thecenter shaft. In this particular configuration, a link 1922 is attachedto the eye 1920 of the center shaft.

To assemble the unit, the spring 1968 is slid onto the center shaft 1910stopping against a larger diameter near the eye end. The locking ring1960 is then slid over the square shank 1930 of the center shaft 1910.Then, the lock bar 1950 is installed over the center shaft pin 1940, andis aligned so that the long side of the lock bar 1950 is perpendicularto a long side of the locking ring boss 1962 and is screwed (or pinned)in place by screw 1952.

To install the fitting 1900, the entire unit is positioned in a track2020, opposite a track hole 2010, with the lock bar 1950 aligned withthe track, as shown in FIG. 29. The center shaft 1910 is pushed toovercome the spring pressure, allowing the lock bar 1950 to pass thesides of the track opening. Then, the entire unit is rotated until theboss 1962 on the locking ring 1960 aligns with the track opening and thespring forces the locking ring 1960 down against the track, as shown inFIG. 30. This also causes the lock bar 1950 to be wedged in between theback of track 2020 and track lips 2022 and 2024 (this keeps the pin 1910engaged in the hole 2010 and keeps the entire assembly from pulling outof the track). To remove, the thumb pushes down on the center shaft 1910and fingers on either side of the locking ring 1960 lift the lockingring 1960 and boss 1962 away from the track opening, as shown in FIG.31. The entire unit is then rotated 90 degrees, allowing the locking bar1950 to disengage from the track.

This embodiment thus provides an arrangement that is simple, easy touse, and provides very positive locking action. As long as the boss 1962holds the lock bar 1950 from rotating, the only way to move or removethe tie-down fitting would require destruction or gross distortion ofthe track and/or tie-down fitting.

FIGS. 32 through 34 illustrate another type of fitting that may be usedaccording to the invention. This type of fitting also requires trackswith holes. In this embodiment, the assembly 2100 includes a loop 2110welded to a pin 2120 after the pin is inserted through a plastic (ormetal) spring 2130 and spacer 2140, which in turn is mechanically bondedto a rectangular metal locking bar 2150. This arrangement allows theloop/pin assembly to spin freely with respect to spring 2130, spacer2140, and locking bar 2150 at all times. A projection 2122 on the bottomof pin 2120 and a projection on the top of pin 2120 (not visible in thedrawings) maintain spring 2130, spacer 2140, and bar 2150 on the pin(while still allowing relative rotation therebetween).

To use this fitting 2100, the fitting is positioned over the track 2220above a track hole 2210, as shown in FIG. 33. The pin 2120 is insertedinto the hole 2210, with the rectangular locking bar 2150 positioned todrop into the track. The spring 2130 (and therefore the locking bar1950) is then twisted 90 degrees clockwise until detents 2132 and 2134on the underside of the spring drop into the track, as shown in FIG. 34.The tension between spring 2130 and locking bar 2150 on the track 2220maintain the assembly in this position.

To remove this tie-down, the spring 2130 (and the locking bar 2150) isrotated counter-clockwise.

Numerous other types of fittings may be used with the invention, forexample, supports for plate glass racks, supports for ladders, and thelike. Suitable off-the-shelf fittings are readily available for strutsystems and are offered by, for example, Unistrut (Wayne, Mich.);Midland-Ross Corp., Superstrut Division, (Oakland, Calif.); and B-LineSystems, Inc. (Highland, Ill.).

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments describedabove. For example, a track could be mounted directly to the tailgatewithout the use of members 952 and 954. Variations and modifications ofthe invention will occur to those in the field, in light of the aboveteachings. The invention is therefore defined by reference to thefollowing claims.

1. A truck comprising: a body having a cab, an exterior cargo bed behindthe cab, side walls on left and right sides of the exterior cargo bed toserve as boundaries of the exterior cargo bed, wherein the cargo bed hasat least one elongated recess formed in the body, the recess beingrecessed with respect to the contour of adjacent portions of ahorizontal plane of the cargo bed; at least one tie-down track mountedon the body along the elongated recess such that a slotted surface ofthe track does not extend appreciably beyond the horizontal plane of thecargo bed; a tailgate at a rearward end of the exterior cargo bed; and afitting which can be slidingly moved within the track and then fixed inposition, the entire fitting being releasable from the track, whereinthe fitting is releasable from the track by twisting and then removingthe fitting in a direction approximately perpendicular to the track. 2.A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tie-down track is welded tothe body.
 3. A truck as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: asecond tie-down track in the exterior cargo bed, the second tie-downtrack mounted on the body such that a slotted surface of the secondtie-down track does not extend appreciably beyond the horizontal planeof the cargo bed.
 4. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein theslotted surface of the track does not extend more than ½ inch beyond thecontour of the adjacent portions of the body.
 5. A truck, comprising: abody; and at least one tie-down track mounted on the body such that amounting surface of the track is recessed with respect to the contour ofadjacent portions of a horizontal plane of the body and a slottedsurface of the track does not extend appreciably beyond the horizontalplane of the body, wherein the body comprises a cargo bed and the trackis mounted at a front of the cargo bed parallel to a rear end of a cabof the truck.
 6. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slottedsurface of the track does not extend more than ¼ inch beyond the contourof the adjacent portions of the body.
 7. A truck as set forth in claim1, wherein the slotted surface of the track does not extend more than ⅛inch beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of the body.
 8. Atruck, comprising: a body; and at least one tie-down track mounted onthe body such that a mounting surface of the track is recessed withrespect to the contour of adjacent portions of a horizontal plane of thebody and a slotted surface of the track does not extend appreciablybeyond the horizontal plane of the body, wherein the body comprises acargo bed and the tie-down track is located in a side wall of the cargobed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the truck.
 9. A truck as setforth in claim 8, further comprising: a second tie-down track in asecond side wall of the cargo bed, the second tie-down track mounted onthe second side wall such that a mounting surface of the second tie-downtrack is recessed with respect to the contour of adjacent portions ofthe horizontal plane of the body and a slotted surface of the secondtie-down track does not extend appreciably beyond the horizontal planeof the body.
 10. A truck, comprising: a body; and at least one tie-downtrack mounted on the body such that a mounting surface of the track isrecessed with respect to the contour of adjacent portions of ahorizontal plane of the body and a slotted surface of the track does notextend appreciably beyond the horizontal plane of the body, wherein thebody comprises a tailgate and wherein the track is supported by thetailgate.
 11. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein an exteriorcontour of the track is flush with the adjacent portions of the body.12. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slotted surface isflush with the adjacent portions of the body.
 13. A truck as set forthin claim 1, wherein the fitting includes a tire cradle.
 14. A truck asset forth in claim 1, further comprising a protective strip which fitsinto a slot in the slotted surface.
 15. A truck as set forth in claim 1,further comprising a cross member, securable to the at least onetie-down track, that runs in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinaldirection of the truck.
 16. A truck as set forth in claim 15, furthercomprising a pulley arrangement supported by the cross member.
 17. Atruck as set forth in claim 15, wherein a longitudinal position of thecross member is adjustable.
 18. A truck as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising a cargo divider supported by said fitting.
 19. A truck as setforth in claim 1, wherein the slotted surface has a slot opening in avertical direction.
 20. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein thetruck comprises a first tie-down track, a second tie-down track, and athird tie-down track.
 21. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein thetrack has a cross-section of an industrial strut system.
 22. A truck asset forth in claim 1, wherein the slotted surface of the track does notextend more than ¾ inch beyond the contour of the adjacent portions ofthe body.
 23. A truck as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tie-downtrack is connected to the body by bolts.